The Digital Delivery of Homes
For the better part of three decades, home remodeling company O’Connor and Sons, www.oconnorandsons.com, Oceanside, Calif., has prided itself on being a master of its craft as a fully licensed and bonded general contractor. Now the company is looking to master another realm, which it hopes in turn will help it take that level of expertise to an even higher level: technology.
Last week the company, which provides such services as new construction, architectural design, interior design and construction, and even commercial work, among others, announced it will begin adding advanced art computer drafting technology for its line of services to clients. The use of this technology will allow the company to produce highly details digital floor plans, 3D elevations, and working drawings.
Its just another example of the ongoing trend of residential and home remodeling companies turning to more advanced design and modeling software. Among the benefits is the ability to share design intent early on, demonstrating to buyers what changes to the plan might look like in the end, and even sharing schedule adjustments virtually in order to help set appropriate client expectations.
Recently residential contractor Fidelity General Contractors, www.fidelitygc.com, Encino, Calif., announced its intent to include the 3D design approach to all new construction and remodeling projects. According to Ran Ben Rafael, owner, Fidelity General Contractors, "3D home design planning is a more effective and attractive way to show homeowners a realistic view of how a certain part of their house will look when it is remodeled. In the past when designers rely merely on technical drawings, homeowners can hardly imagine how their bathroom or kitchen will look like after a remodeling project is completed. This limitation sometimes poses a serious problem when it comes to customer satisfaction especially when the outcome is different from customer's expectations."
The impact of the technology is evident across the board, and we continue to see technology providers in this space hone their solution set in order to help builders and remodelers take such efforts to the next level.
In August, for example, Cadsoft Corp., www.cadsoft.com, Guelph, Ont., announced major enhancements in its Envisioneer 8 product around such areas as design to documentation, to material takeoff and presentation, among others. Cadsoft is a company that is consistently upgrading its product set in order to meet the ever-changing needs of the market in the realm of advanced design.
As we begin to move towards the end of another year, technology will certainly be on the plate for more builders and remodelers that are looking for that extra boost. Have you explored your options around more advanced modeling yet? Perhaps it's time to take another look.